US9498213B2 - Pair of double staple pusher in triple row stapler - Google Patents

Abstract

A staple cartridge includes outer and inner rows of retention slots that are adapted and configured to retain staples. The staple cartridge further includes a staple pusher including a plurality of pusher plates. A staple pusher includes pusher plates that are laterally spaced apart to engage staples within the outer rows of at least three rows of retention slots.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/895,948, filed Oct. 1, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,154, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/249,637, filed Oct. 8, 2009, the disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure is related to a stapling apparatus and, more particularly, to a staple drive assembly for use in a staple cartridge of a stapling apparatus.

Background of Related Art

Surgical stapling devices are widely used in surgical procedures to fasten body tissue quickly and efficiently by driving fasteners or staplers into the tissue. In certain types of stapling devices, a drive member moves transversely to the direction the staples are to be driven. Typically, such stapling devices employ a number of staple pusher elements located in grooved slots of a staple cartridge and arranged end to end in rows. During normal operation, the transversely moving drive member contacts a cam member on the staple pusher thereby pushing the staple pusher vertically in the grooved slot. The staple pusher transmits linear motion from the drive member to the staples. The rows of staples are thereby driven into the body tissue to be fastened.

Several issues arise in designing staple pushers for driving one or more surgical staples. If the forces applied to the staple pusher are not effectively balanced, there is a tendency for the staple pusher to twist within the grooved slot and/or bind against the walls of the grooved slot. Additionally, a single point of contact between the actuation sled and the staple pusher may create a rocking point on the staple pusher which can cause the staple pusher to exit the staple cartridge in an unbalanced manner which may result in non-uniform staple formation. Moreover, staple pushers for driving a plurality of staples may offer more resistance to longitudinal movement of the drive member.

It is desirable that the staple pusher permit application of a relatively smooth ejection force throughout the operation of the drive member. It is also desirable that the stapling apparatus form a plurality of finished staples having a substantially uniform configuration. Various staple pusher and cam bar arrangements are known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,955,959; 4,978,049; 5,395,034; 5,630,541; 5,662,258; 6,131,789; and D278,081.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed towards a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge may include a housing defining a plurality of retention slots for retaining staples. The staple cartridge further includes at least one staple pusher adapted and configured to eject the staples within the retention slots upon actuation of the staple cartridge.

In an embodiment, a staple pusher may include at least two pusher plates including top surfaces that are configured and adapted to engage a staple retained within one of the retention slots. The top surfaces of the pusher plates may be substantially symmetrical, with respect to one another, about a central longitudinal axis of the staple pusher. The pusher plates may be laterally spaced apart, i.e., spaced apart transverse to the central longitudinal axis. In addition, the pusher plates may have substantially equal dimensions and may be substantially positioned along the same points along the central longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge housing. The arrangement of the pusher plates facilitates engagement of staples within retention slots defined within a single column a single column and within separate rows of retention slots.

In an embodiment, the staple cartridge may include a housing defining a first outer row, a second outer row, and at least one inner row of retention slots positioned between the first and second outer rows of retention slots. A staple pusher may include a first and a second pusher plate that are laterally spaced apart to operably engage staples retained in the first and second outer rows of retention slots, and within the same column of retention slots. The lateral spacing of at least some adjacent pusher plates is greater than the lateral spacing of at least some adjacent retention slots. Therefore, the spacing of the pusher plates is such that the pusher plates do not operably engage at least some of the inner rows of retention slots. In addition, the pusher plates may be symmetrically positioned about a central longitudinal axis of the staple pusher.

In an embodiment, the cartridge housing may include three rows of retention slots including two outer rows and one inner row of retention slots. The pusher plates may be configured and adapted to operably engage only the outer rows of retention slots. In particular, the at least one staple pusher may be configured to operably engage at least one staple in each of the first and second outer rows. For example, the at least one staple pusher may include a number of pusher plates, e.g., two pusher plates, that are positioned to operably engage at least one staple in each of the first and second outer rows. In an embodiment, the staple pusher may have no more than two pusher plates. However, in other embodiments, the staple pusher may include a greater or fewer number of pusher plates.

In an embodiment, the staple cartridge includes a housing that defines a longitudinal axis, and an actuation sled that is disposed in the housing. The staple cartridge also includes a plurality of staple pushers including at least one staple pusher that has first and second pusher plates that are laterally spaced apart and symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis of the housing. The first plate may have a first plane defined by a first top surface and the second plate has a second plane defined by a second top surface in which the first plane is parallel to the second plane. The staple pusher may include first and second pusher plates that are symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis and at the distal end of the housing. The staple pusher may be positioned adjacent to a second staple pusher that includes two pusher plates that are longitudinally and laterally spaced apart from one another.

A staple pusher may be configured to operably engage a plurality of rows of retention slots defined by a housing of a cartridge. The retention slots include at least one or more inner rows such that the staple pusher does not operably engage at least one of the inner rows. The housing may include a plurality of rows of retention slots including at least one or more inner rows, and the at least one staple pusher is configured such that the at least one staple pusher does not operably engage at least one of the inner rows. In addition, at least some of the retention slots may be arranged in columns. The staple pusher may be configured and adapted to operably engage staples within different rows of retention slots, but within the same column of retention slots.

For example, the housing may include three rows of retention slots including two outer retention slots and one inner retention slot. The first and second pusher plates may be configured and adapted to operably engage the outer retention slots and not the inner retention slot. In staple cartridges having more than three rows of retention slots, the staple pusher may be configured and adapted to have pusher plates that only operably engage the outer rows of retention slots.

An actuation sled disposed within the cartridge may be configured to interact with the at least one staple pusher. The actuation sled may include at least one camming member, the at least one camming member including first and second cam wedges that are spaced apart. Each cam wedge includes at least first and second drive faces that are configured to define first and second drive angles with respect to the base of the actuation sled.

An example of a staple cartridge including an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher is found in U.S. Patent Publication 2008/0023522, filed Aug. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The various aspects of the present disclosure will be more readily understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscopic surgical stapling device including a staple cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an actuation sled;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the actuation sled ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the actuation sled ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the actuation sled ofFIG. 2 taken along section line5-5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the actuation sled ofFIG. 2 taken along section line6-6 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a staple drive assembly including the actuation sled ofFIG. 2 showing the initial engagement between the cam members of a staple pusher and the cam wedges of the actuation sled as the actuation sled moves in the direction of arrow “A”;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the staple drive assembly ofFIG. 7 showing the continued engagement between the cam members of the staple pusher ofFIG. 7 and the cam wedges of the actuation sled as the actuation sled continues to move in the direction of arrow “A”;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the staple pusher ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the staple pusher ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the staple pusher ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view taken along section line12-12 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view taken along section line13-13 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of a staple pusher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the staple pusher ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a staple pusher in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the staple pusher ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the staple cartridge ofFIG. 1, staples, staple pushers, and the actuation sled ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 19 is an enlarged top view of the indicated area ofFIG. 18 depicting staple pushers disposed within the staple cartridge ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. As shown in the figures and as described throughout the following descriptions, and as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on an object, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the device that is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end of the device that is farther from the user.

Asurgical stapler10 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1-19.Surgical stapler10, as shown inFIG. 1, includes ahousing11, atrigger assembly30 pivotably coupled to thehousing11, abody portion12 extending from thehousing11, astaple cartridge40, and ananvil assembly70. An example of a surgical stapler having linear rows is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,073 to Milliman et al., which is currently owned and assigned to United States Surgical, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Thetrigger assembly30 includes atrigger32. Pivotal movement oftrigger32 along directional arrow “L”, during an actuation sequence, moves theanvil assembly70 and thestaple cartridge40 closer relative to each other. By moving theanvil assembly70 and thestaple cartridge40 closer relative to each other, a portion of body tissue positioned between theanvil assembly70 and thestaple cartridge40 may be grasped or retained between therebetween.

Moreover, actuation of thetrigger32 converts pivotal movement of thetrigger32 into linear movement of a drive mechanism, such as that seen inFIGS. 7 and 8. As an actuation sled210 (FIGS. 2-8, 16) translates linearly throughstaple cartridge40, staple pushers1260 (FIGS. 14-15;19),360 (FIGS. 16, 17, 19),160 (FIGS. 7-13, 19) interact with theactuation sled210 to discharge staples50 (FIG. 18) throughretention slots60. Thestaples50 are driven through the portion of body tissue, positioned between theanvil assembly70 and thestaple cartridge40, in the direction of theanvil assembly70 to form completed staples.

Referring now toFIG. 18, theretention slots60 are arranged in a plurality of rows R1, R2, R3. Although, three rows are depicted inFIG. 18, thecartridge40 may include a greater or fewer number of rows. Each of the rows R1, R2, R3 includesretention slots60 that are coaxial with respect to one another. Moreover, theretention slots60 may be arranged in columns in which one ormore retention slots60 are positioned along a common axis which is transverse with respect to longitudinal axis “K” of thecartridge40. As shown inFIG. 18, some columns include tworetention slots60, while others include oneretention slot60 that are symmetrically disposed about longitudinal axis “K”.

As seen inFIGS. 2-6,actuation sled210 is adapted and configured for use in thestaple cartridge40 and includes a first set ofcamming members220, a second set ofcamming members240, and aguide member250. Guide member translates along longitudinal axis “K” (FIG. 18) ofstaple cartridge40. First and second sets ofcamming members220,240 include respective first or leadingcam wedges222,242 and respective second or trailingcam wedges224,244.

Leadingcam wedges222,242 ofactuation sled210 include first drive faces222a,242aand second drive faces222b,242b. Interposed between first drive faces222a,242aand second drive faces222b,242bare respective first andsecond transition points223,225. First drive faces222a,242aextend proximally from adistal point214 both longitudinally and vertically thereby forming a first drive angle with respect tobase212.

Trailingcam wedges224,244 are longitudinally spaced apart from leadingcam wedges222,242 by a predetermined distance. First drive faces224a,244aof trailingcam wedges224,244 extend both longitudinally and vertically in a proximal direction from respective origin points214a,214bto form the first drive angle with respect tobase212. Second drive faces222b,242bform respective second drive angles with respect to plane X′ andbase212, which is parallel to plane X′.

Additionally, plane X′ extends throughtransition points223,225 (FIG. 6) of trailingcam wedges224,244 and is substantially parallel tobase212. Plane X′ is also substantially parallel totissue contacting surface44 ofstaple cartridge40. Second drive faces224b,244bform respective second drive angles with respect to plane X′. In one embodiment, first drive angles may be in a range of about 5° to about 35° while second drive angles may be in a range of about 20° to about 55°. In another embodiment, first drive angles may be in a range of about 10° to about 30° while second drive angles may be in a range of about 25° to about 45°. In a further embodiment, first drive angles may be in a range of about 15° to about 25° while the second drive angles may be in a range of about 30° to about 40°.

By providingactuation sled210 with first drive faces222a,242ahaving a flatter initial engaging surface having a lower angle relative to a plane parallel tobase212, interaction betweenactuation sled210 and eachstaple pusher160 is more controllable. The interaction betweenactuation sled210 and astaple pusher160 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 7, 8, and 16.

As shown inFIG. 18,actuation sled210 is configured and adapted to move distally throughstaple cartridge40 in a generally horizontal direction as indicated by arrow “A”. Asactuation sled210 translates, first drive faces222a,224acontact respective second cam surfaces162b,164band urgestaple pusher160 in a generally vertical direction as indicated by arrow “Y” from its first or rest position. Asactuation sled210 translates throughstaple cartridge40 and interacts with each staple pusher as discussed above,actuation sled210 gradually and controllably urges eachstaple pusher160 vertically asactuation sled210 translates throughstaple cartridge40. Since the first drive angle is defined by first drive faces222a,224aand is complementary to the second receiving angle defined by second cam surfaces162b,164b, horizontal movement ofactuation sled210 in direction “A” causes vertical movement ofstaple pusher160 in direction “Y”.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, asactuation sled210 continues to move in the direction of arrow “A”, second drive faces222b,224bengage respective first cam surfaces162a,164aand first drive faces222a,224aremain engaged with their respective second cam surfaces162b,164b, thereby providing additionally longitudinal and vertical stability ofstaple pusher160. Afteractuation sled210 moves a predetermined distance in the direction of arrow “A”, first drive faces222a,224adisengage from their respective second cam surfaces162b,164bwhile second drive faces222b,224bremain engaged with their respective first cam surfaces162a,164a. The second drive angle defined by second drive faces222b,224bis complementary to the first receiving angle defined by first cam surfaces162a,164afurther urgingstaple pusher160 in the direction of arrow “Y” through an intermediate position. Continuing distal movement ofactuation sled210 continues to urgestaple pusher160 vertically to its second or end position immediately prior to the disengagement between second drive faces222b,224band respective second cam surfaces162a,164a.

Turning now toFIGS. 9-13, several views ofstaple pusher160 are illustrated. Eachstaple pusher160 includes afirst cam member162, asecond cam member164, andpusher plates166x,166y,166z. In an embodiment, thefirst can member162 is positioned betweenadjacent pusher plates166x,166y, andsecond cam member164 is positioned betweenadjacent pusher plates166y,166z. In one embodiment, eachstaple pusher160 includes threepusher plates166 that are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart from each other. Generally, first andsecond cam members162,164 andpusher plates166x,166y,166zlie in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis ofstaple cartridge40. Eachstaple pusher160 includes a plurality ofpusher plates166 that are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis ofstaple cartridge40, e.g., axis “K” (FIG. 18) and parallel to a centerline CL of each staple pusher (FIG. 11).

Additionally, first andsecond cam members162,164 are also substantially parallel to centerline CL (FIG. 11).Staple pusher160, as viewed from left to right inFIG. 11, i.e., distal to proximal, includespusher plate166xthat is laterally spaced apart in the transverse direction frompusher plate166y. Thepusher plate166xis axially offset frompusher plate166yin the distal direction. Thepusher plate166yis laterally spaced apart in the transverse direction frompusher plate166z. Thepusher plate166yis also axially offset from thepusher plate166zin the distal direction.

Further still,first cam member162 is disposed betweenpusher plate166xandpusher plate166y. Thesecond cam member164 is disposed betweenpusher plate166yandpusher plate166z. Each of thepusher plates166x,166y,166zincludes aleading edge166aand a trailing edge166b. In an embodiment,pusher plates166x,166y,166zmay be longitudinally spaced apart or staggered such that the longitudinal spacing between leadingedges166aofadjacent pusher plates166x,166y,166zis about two-thirds the length ofretention slot60 or about two-thirds the length of anadjacent pusher plate166x,166y,166z. Configured thusly,staple pusher160 has an arrangement wherepusher plates166 are longitudinally staggered from a distal portion ofstaple pusher160 to a proximal portion ofstaple pusher160 as seen inFIG. 11. Further still, eachpusher plate166x,166y,166zincludes atop surface166cthat is adapted for releasably engaging abackspan52 ofstaple50.

First andsecond cam members162,164 include respective first and second cam surfaces162a,162band164a,164b(FIGS. 9 and 10). At the intersection of first and second cam surfaces162a,162band164a,164barerespective transition points162c,164c. A plane T (FIG. 12, 13) extending throughtransition points162c,164cis parallel torespective tops163,165 ofcam members162,164. In one embodiment, first cam surfaces162a,164adefine a first engagement or receiving angle with respect totops163,165 of respective first andsecond cam members162,164. Second cam surfaces162b,164bdefine a second engagement or receiving angle with respect to plane T. First and second receiving angles are complementary to respective first and second drive angles ofcamming members220,240 ofactuation sled210 as discussed in detail hereinbelow. The receiving angles of thecam members162,164 correspond to the drive angles ofactuation sled210.

An alternate embodiment of a staple pusher will now be described with reference toFIGS. 14 and 15.Staple pusher1260, shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, includes afirst pusher plate1266 and asecond pusher plate1267.Pusher plates1266,1267 are laterally spaced apart and are symmetrically positioned about a longitudinal axis ofhousing40a(FIGS. 1 and 19) of thestaple cartridge40, i.e., axis B positioned betweenpusher plates1266,1267 wherepusher plates1266,1267 are disposed inrespective retention slots60 of thestaple cartridge40.Staple pusher1260 is configured and adapted such thatpusher plates1266,1267 engage outer rows R1, R3, and do not engage inner row R2 of staple cartridge40 (FIG. 18). It is envisioned that the spacing betweenpusher plates1266,1267 may be adapted such thatpusher plates1266,1267, ofstaple pusher1260, only engage the outer rows of retention slots in staplers having three or more linear rows of retention slots. In an embodiment,staple pusher1260 may be positioned at either the proximal or distal end ofhousing40aofstaple cartridge40. In alternate embodiments, thestaple pusher1260 may be positioned between the proximal and distal ends of thehousing40a.

Eachpusher plate1266,1267 includes atop surface1266c,1267c, respectively, that is adapted for releasably engagingbackspan52 ofstaple50.Pusher plate1266 includes aleading edge1266aand a trailing edge1266b.Pusher plate1267 includes aleading edge1267aand atrailing edge1267b. In addition, thestaple pusher1260 includes afirst cam member1270, asecond cam member1271, and athird cam member1272.Cam members1270,1271,1272 are longitudinally spaced apart and are disposed betweenpusher plates1266,1267.Cam members1270,1271,1272 includerespective cam surfaces1270a,1271a,1272a. In an embodiment, cam surfaces1270a,1271a,1272adefine engagement or receiving angles with respect to tops1270b,1271b,1272bofrespective cam members1270,1271,1272.

The interaction betweenactuation sled210 andstaple pusher1260 is substantially similar to that described above with respect tostaple pusher160 with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8 and will therefore not be described in detail. In particular, the receiving angles of the first, second, andthird cam surfaces1270a,1271a,1272aofstaple pusher1260 are complementary to the drive angles ofactuation sled210 such that asactuation sled210 translates distally throughstaple cartridge40 in the direction indication by arrow “A” (FIG. 18), sets ofcamming members220,240 ofactuation sled220 slidably engagestaple pusher1260, thereby urgingstaple pusher1260 from its first or rest position in a generally vertical direction as indicated by directional arrow “Y” (FIG. 18). The movement ofstaple pusher1260 results intop surfaces1266c,1267cof thestaple pusher1260 engagingbackspan52 ofstaple50 and urgingstaple50 in a substantially vertical direction to engage tissue in contact withtissue contacting surface44 in the direction ofanvil70 to form a completed staple. The interaction between the sets ofcamming members220,240 andstaple pusher1260 is substantially similar to that described between the sets ofcamming members220,240 andstaple pusher160 and that described between the camming members and staple pusher disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. 2008/0023522, filed Aug. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Staple pusher360 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 16, 17, and 19. As seen inFIG. 19,staple pusher360 is positioned adjacent and proximal to staple pusher1260 (FIG. 19).Staple pusher360 includes afirst cam member362, asecond cam member364, and two prongs orpusher plates366x,366ythat are laterally and longitudinally spaced apart form each other. Generally, first andsecond cam members362,364 andpusher plates366x,366ylie in a plane parallel to longitudinal axis “K” ofstaple cartridge40. As illustrated inFIGS. 16 and 17, eachpusher plate366x,366yincludes aleading edge366aand a trailing edge366b. Pusher plates366 may be longitudinally spaced apart or staggered such that the longitudinal spacing between leadingedges366aof adjacent pusher plates366 is about two-thirds the length ofretention slot60 or about two-thirds the length of pusher plate366. Further still, each pusher plate366 includes atop surface366cthat is adapted for releasably engaging abackspan52 of a staple50 (FIG. 18). Eachretention slot60 ofstaple cartridge40 is configured for releasably receiving astaple50 and a pusher plate366.

As shown inFIG. 16, acam member362 includes cam surfaces362a,362b, and anothercam member364 includes cam surfaces364a,364b. At the intersection of first and second cam surfaces352a,262band364a,364barerespective transition points362c,364c. A plane T (FIG. 16) extending throughtransition points362c,364cis parallel torespective tops363,365. In one embodiment, first cam surfaces362a,364adefine a first engagement or receiving angle with respect totops363,365 of respective first andsecond cam members362,364. Second cam surfaces362b,364bdefine a second engagement or receiving angle with respect to plane T. First and second receiving angles are complementary to respective first and second drive angles ofcamming members220,240 ofactuation sled210.

Additionally, while the present disclosure describes embodiments involving an actuation sled, it will be understood that the design characteristics and function of the sled camming members may be incorporated directly into cam bars or firing wedges, which in turn are connected to the firing mechanism of the surgical stapling instrument.

Furthermore, although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description and appended figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. It is to be understood, therefore, that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

Claims (15)

What is claimed is:

1. A staple cartridge for a surgical stapling device, the staple cartridge comprising:

a housing defining a longitudinal axis;

a first staple pusher supported within the housing and having first plurality of pusher plates being longitudinally aligned and laterally spaced apart; and

a second staple pusher supported within the housing longitudinally offset relative to the first staple pusher, the second staple pusher having a second plurality of pusher plates being longitudinally staggered and laterally spaced apart,

wherein a pusher plate of the second plurality of pusher plates is laterally offset relative to each pusher plate of the first plurality of pusher plates.

2. The staple cartridge ofclaim 1, wherein the housing defines a first outer row, a second outer row, and at least one inner row, the at least one inner row positioned between the first and second outer rows, each row including a plurality of retention slots.

3. The staple cartridge ofclaim 2, wherein the first plurality of pusher plates of the first staple pusher are engageable with staples retained in the retention slots of the first and second outer rows.

4. The staple cartridge ofclaim 2, wherein one pusher plate of the second plurality of-pusher plates of the second staple pusher is engageable with a staple retained in one of the retention slots of the at least one inner row.

5. The staple cartridge ofclaim 2, further comprising a third staple pusher positioned within the housing longitudinally offset relative to the first and second staple pushers, the third staple pusher including a third plurality of pusher plates that are longitudinally offset and laterally spaced apart.

6. The staple cartridge ofclaim 5, wherein two pusher plates of the third plurality of-pusher plates of the third staple pusher are engageable with staples retained in the retention slots of the first and second outer rows and one pusher plate of the third plurality of pusher plates of the third staple pusher is engageable with a staple retained in a retention slot of the at least one inner row.

7. The staple cartridge ofclaim 2, wherein the retention slots are arranged in columns, the first plurality of pusher plates of the first staple pusher being arranged with two different rows of retention slots within a given column of retention slots.

8. The staple cartridge ofclaim 1, further comprising an actuation sled supported within the housing, wherein the actuation sled is translatable along the longitudinal axis to contact the first and second staple pushers as the actuation sled translates along the longitudinal axis.

9. The staple cartridge ofclaim 8, wherein the actuation sled includes at least one camming member and a base, the at least one camming member including spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including a first drive face oriented at a first drive angle with respect to the base and a second drive face oriented at a second drive angle with respect to the base, the first and second drive angles being different.

10. A staple cartridge comprising:

a housing defining a longitudinal axis;

first, second, and third rows of retention slots;

a first staple pusher having first and second pusher plates, the first and second pusher plates being longitudinally aligned and laterally spaced apart such that the first and second pusher plates are aligned with the first and third rows of retention slots; and

a second staple pusher longitudinally adjacent the first staple pusher, the second staple pusher having third and fourth pusher plates, the third and fourth pusher plates being longitudinally staggered and laterally spaced apart such that the third and fourth pusher plates are aligned with the second and third rows of retention slots.

11. The staple cartridge ofclaim 10, wherein the first, second, and third rows of retention slots include the second row of retention slots being positioned between the first and third rows of retention slots.

12. The staple cartridge ofclaim 11, further comprising a third staple pusher positioned within the housing longitudinally offset relative to the first and second staple pushers, the third staple pusher having fifth, sixth, and seventh pusher plates that are longitudinally offset and laterally spaced apart.

13. The staple cartridge ofclaim 12, wherein two of the fifth, sixth, and seventh pusher plates of the third staple pusher are engageable with staples retained in the respective retention slots of the first and third rows of retention slots and at least one of the fifth, sixth, and seventh pusher plates of the third staple pusher is engageable with a staple retained in the second row of retention slots.

14. The staple cartridge ofclaim 10, further comprising an actuation sled supported within the housing, wherein the actuation sled is translatable along the longitudinal axis to contact the first and second staple pushers for firing staples as the actuation sled translates along the longitudinal axis.

15. The staple cartridge ofclaim 14, wherein the actuation sled includes at least one camming member and a base, the at least one camming member including spaced apart first and second cam wedges, each cam wedge including a first drive face oriented at a first drive angle with respect to the base and a second drive face oriented at a second drive angle with respect to the base, the first and second drive angles being different.

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